CALEDONIA, Mo (News First) – Nina Gilliam is the owner of the Old Village Mercantile, an old-fashioned candy store located in the Village of Caledonia. It’s always packed in October during the Caledonia Pumpkin Festival. Just three years ago, Gillam opened another store that also attracts a line of customers and that’s the Old Village Hot Dog Shoppe.

The Old Village Hot Dog Shoppe has already won two statewide awards for Best Hot Dog from MISSOURIMAGAZINESBEST.COM.

The Caledonia Pumpkin Festival is always held on the second Saturday in October. This year’s celebration will be October 12th. It will start at 10 a.m. with a huge parade. The festival will continue until 4 that afternoon with most of the activities taking place in the village park.